Intro
Hi guys, and welcome back to Petrolhead Podcasts. The BMW 7 series and Mercedes S-Class represent one of the longest standing rivalries in the automotive industry and are the flagship vehicles for both brands. Both showcase the most cutting-edge technologies their manufacturers have to offer and both have historically pioneered technologies that have later become available on mainstream vehicles. So which of these two prestigious German luxury sedans is the better buy in 2025? Join me as I go through an in-depth comparison to give you the answer, having recently had the chance to experience the 7 series at a BMW USA event and the Mercedes at a local dealer. Today, we will be comparing the mid-range, plug-in hybrid versions of both vehicles, namely the 2025 750e xDrive, which starts at $109,175, and the 2025 S580e 4Matic, which starts at $129,750.
Exterior Styling
Firstly, in terms of exterior styling, neither car is perfect, but I do prefer the Mercedes design overall. The S-Class seems more conventionally styled, with proportions that are traditional and design details that are restrained. With that said, it is lacking in road presence, not only compared to the BMW, but also previous S-Class generations such as the W222 and W221, with the inward kinks in the headlights and taillights not the most majestic looking. The BMW is full of road presence and is physically a more substantial car, being longer, wider, and taller than the S-Class. Unfortunately, the design lacks cohesion, especially upfront, where the oversized chrome grill doesn’t work well and the two-piece headlights that merge sharply into the grill, as well as having an over-styled rear bumper and generic looking taillights.
2025 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
2025 BMW 7-Series
Interiors
Moving on to the interiors and the better of the two is the BMW. Being the newer car, the 7 series feels more modern, with elements such as the interaction bar that integrates the ambient lighting and the latest BMW curved display running the iDrive 8.5 system. The available 31inch 8k TV for the rear seat and the lighting integrated into the panoramic roof are also impressive for rear seat passengers. As the flagship of the BMW lineup, build and material quality are both excellent, although critically speaking, the lack of matching ambient lighting strips on the rear doors is a notable omission. The S-Class’s interior feels similarly excellent in terms of interior quality and materials, although the abundance of piano black on the center console is disappointing and the design doesn’t feel as next-level as the BMW, especially for the rear seats, which have far less available technology and don’t feel as special as the 7 series. The MBUX 3 system used for the Mercedes is on par with the BMW’s iDrive system in terms of features and modernity, even though it is a shame that the S-Class is currently not offered with the superscreen setup available on the E-Class. In terms of practicality, unlike the BMW, the plug-in hybrid S-Class sacrifices a significant amount of trunk space compared to the regular gas-powered S580, while both are more than spacious enough in terms of passenger space.
The BMW feels more special than the Mercedes inside
The 31-inch 8K TV is the highlight of the rear-seat experience of the BMW
The Mercedes interior, like the BMW, has high-quality finishes and great build quality
The rear seats of the S-Class feel less special than the 7 Series
Drivetrains
In terms of drivetrains, both feel equally matched, but the Mercedes is slightly superior, having more power and torque at 503 horsepower and 553-pound feet of torque and the 47 miles of all-electric range is also more than the BMW. The BMW, despite being slightly down on power at 483 horsepower and 516-pound feet of torque, is quicker to accelerate to 60 MPH and offers more chassis upgrade options, including road surface scan technology, which, while available for the gas-powered S580, is not available for the plug-in S580e version.
Driving Experience
In terms of driving experience, the BMW is the superior machine. The ride quality on the BMW’s air suspension is just as sublime as the Mercedes and refinement is exemplary, being whisper quiet on the move. Body control and handling are superior in the BMW, and during my test drive I was left blown away by how agile and sporty the BMW felt for such a large vehicle, with an extremely planted, stable and agile feel through corners, helped in part by the optional rear-wheel steering. The BMW’s inline 6 engine is also as excellent as ever and is a little smoother and more linear in its power delivery than the inline-6 in the Mercedes, while the 8-speed transmission also shifts more decisively than the 9-speed automatic used in the Mercedes. The S-Class feels more one-dimensional than the BMW, with a focus on comfort above all. Just like the BMW, the Mercedes has great ride quality and is extremely quiet on the move too and has more of the pillowy, wafting feeling than the BMW. In terms of handling, the Mercedes isn’t as accomplished as the BMW. The vehicle’s body control is still very good, without much lean in the corners, and it also is available with rear-wheel steering, but it doesn’t feel as alert and engaging to drive, with a more relaxed and laid-back feel, something not helped by having an engine and transmission combination that feels less effortless than the BMW.
The BMW has remarkable agility for such a large vehicle and is very comfortable as well
The driving experience of the S-Class prioritizes comfort above all
Conclusion
Overall, which is the better full-size luxury sedan? While both cars are excellent vehicles, in my opinion, the BMW is superior. The 750e has a more tech-featured and modern interior, is just as comfortable while being noticeably sportier, and is around 20,000 dollars cheaper to start than the Mercedes despite having a very similar drivetrain setup. Unfortunately, the styling, while full of presence, is very divisive. The S580e is still an excellent vehicle, and before you accuse me of favoring the BMW, personally, my dream car growing up was the W222 S-Class and I still own a model car of that vehicle today. I just think that the current generation is not as majestic looking as older S-Class models, the interior lacks the next level technology of the BMW, and it also doesn’t feel as engaging to drive as the BMW and isn’t as good value for money. Both the 7 Series and S-Class will be due for big midcycle refreshes within the next 12-months, and it will be interesting to see whether the changes to the S-Class will be enough to allow it to beat the BMW, or if the 7-series can further extend its advantage.